Deaths Reminder Of Oil Patch Danger

Wednesday's death is the second fatality on a Green Country oil rig this month. Another man fell to his death in Osage County. The News On 6's Chris Wright reports those in the industry say there are pros and cons to Oklahoma's new oil boom.

There's plenty of money to be made, but there's also the risk of more accidents.

The explosion and fire that destroyed this rig could apparently be heard as far as two miles away. It killed 34-year-old Christopher Hyde of Stroud, and burned two other workers.

Its cause is still under investigation, but firefighters believe a backfiring truck may be responsible for sparking the fire.

"The oil started flowing out a little more than they expected it to.  It blew out fairly high in the air.  And something happened that ignited it," said Bristow Fire Department Captain David McSpadden.

On August 11th, a 20-year-old fell as far as 50 feet from this rig in Osage County. He later died.

The pursuit of oil and gas has always been inherently dangerous, but industry veterans are distressed by these recent accidents.

"But many times things just happen that are totally out of the sphere of control," said Dewey Bartlett of Keener Oil and Gas.

Bartlett's family has operated wells in Green Country for generations. After enduring trying times in the past decade, he says high oil prices have spurred demand for more domestic drilling and prompted companies like Bartlett's to re-tap old wells.

"I never thought it would be this good.  There were some days that literally tens of thousands of Oklahomans lost their jobs," said Bartlett.

But many of those jobs are now back. It's of course a boost for the local economy, but Bartlett says oil companies need to exercise caution while pursuing profit.

With more operations, more heavy equipment and men working in the fields, there is the possibility for more accidents like Wednesday's.

Bartlett says his company always preaches safety to its workers.

The Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association holds a number of safety orientation and awareness training sessions. The next one is in Bartlesville in September.

Related Story:

08/27/2008 - Oil Well Explosion Leaves One Dead